Only 13 years old when the American Civil War began, Emma Riely was to experience the destruction of the south by Union troops and meet her future husband, Confederate soldier Rueben Macon. Living near troops, Emma and her beautiful sister, Kate, found themselves in great demand. She has many sad and funny stories to tell and she set them down in this volume for her children and grandchildren. Her husband also shares his experiences during the war in Ewell's Division. For the first time, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.
Osborne Oldroyd had two residences in common with his martyred Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln. He and his family rented the Lincoln house in Springfield after the war and he was instrumental in convincing Robert Lincoln to donate the house to the state. Oldroyd later lived in the Peterson House, where the late President died across the street from Ford's Theater. What was it like day to day for the soldier in the trenches? Osborn Oldroyd, just shy of 21-years-old, kept a diary during the siege and published it in 1895. For the first time, this compelling, thrilling, sad, and humorous account is available in an affordable, well-formatted abridged e-book. Far from being mere cannon fodder, many of the soldiers of the Civil War were keen observers of the events that changed America forever. They were capable of writing intimate, engaging prose and they were not insensible to the beauty of the night sky or the awful beauty of destruction. With wit, irony, and fierce patriotism, Oldroyd draws us in. From Oldroyd's diary: "...kept up the firing for four hours, during which time the smoke was so thick we could see nothing but the flash of the guns. No fog could have so completely hid from view objects around...such a screeching of shot and shell must prove a terror to them, and my heart has not yet grown so hardened that I can not feel for them." And: "Soldiers grow more friendly as they are brought better to realize the terrible ravages of war. As Colonel Force called us to 'Attention!' this morning, one of the boys remarked, 'I love that man more than ever.'" Even in the midst of the crash of battle, Oldroyd tells us, "Boys at the front have time for sport, which is not to be interrupted even by stray shells." He then goes on to describe a card game during which the boys did not even acknowledge shells flying over their heads. Later he writes of sneaking into a Vicksburg home during the siege and being invited to stay for a birthday party. No history can convey the awful and comical events of Vicksburg like the stories of the common soldiers. No general's account of strategy can bring the same kind of immediacy to events. You'll find yourself at Vicksburg in a way you never thought possible. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.
Lee Meriwether was already a well-known travel writer and journalist when he was selected as a Special Assistant to the American Ambassador to France during World War I. Though his diary of the time was not written for publication, it is a fascinating look behind the scenes in Europe during the Great War. Traveling throughout the country, Meriwether describes the sights and sounds of war, and captures the human cost of industrialized killing. Every memoir of World War I provides us with another view of the conflagration that changed the world forever. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
At a campaign stop when he was running for president, Ulysses S. Grant asked to stop by the grave of his friend and fellow West Point cadet, Alexander Hays, who had fallen at the Battle of the Wilderness. Newsmen reported that Grant openly wept at the graveside. After having played a pivotal role commanding the forces that turned back Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, and having exposed himself on other open battlefields, the dense Wilderness was not the place to have expected Hays to fall. At Gettysburg, it was later written: "We cannot summarize here what Hays' Division did on the third day when the final blow, embodied in Pickett's and Pettigrew's charge, fell directly upon their front. When the fight ended that afternoon fifteen colors and over two thousand prisoners fell into their hands. Magnificently were they led by their division commander [Hays]." On hearing of his death in battle, Grant quietly remarked as he sat beneath a tree, "He was a man who would never follow, but would always lead in battle." Here is the definitive biography of Major General Alexander Hays, from childhood to West Point to the Mexican War and on to the American Civil War. Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
France 1944 and the streets are filled with swastikas. The story of a brave English girl behind enemy lines, a German soldier, and a terrible sacrifice… English nurse Sibyl Lake is young but skilled and confident. Resolving to do everything she can to help her country she begins to spy to support the French Resistance. She arrives in Colmar, a French town surrounded by vineyards and swarming with German soldiers, but her fear is dampened by the joy of being reunited with her childhood sweetheart. Jacques is now a French Resistance fighter, risking his life to free his friends and family from German occupation. Sibyl’s arrival has not gone unnoticed by Commander Wolfgang von Haagan, the commandant of the Colmar region. She realises letting him get closer is her best chance of learning enemy secrets. Yet despite her best intentions, Sibyl soon finds betrayal does not come easy to her. Commander von Haagen is a soldier who yearns for poetry, music, something beyond the war, and Sibyl begins to enjoy the company of the man she’s spying on... Determined to do what is right for her country, Sibyl knows what she must do. But will it put both the men she loves into terrible danger? A beautifully written, heart-wrenching and unforgettable tale of love and loss in a time of war. Perfect for fans of The Letter by Kathryn Hughes and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. What readers are saying about The Soldier’s Girl: ‘The Soldier's Girl is a gripping and heart wrenching read that I couldn't tear myself away from… A moving and at times touching read that will stay with me for some time.’ By the Letter Book Reviews ‘This book brought tears to my eyes and every chapter was a new twist to the story… I could not stop reading this book and I know everyone is sure to love it.’ The Lovely Library ‘The Soldier’s Girl is a captivating, historical fiction novel… I was wholly engrossed until the very end.’ Write Escape ‘I loved this book a wonderful and heartbreaking tale which drew me in; it has strong characters and a beautiful story’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A fantastic book. I also loved reading about the Alsace Region. Makes you think "what would you do in her shoes.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘I really enjoyed this book and all of the characters. What an exciting book with many twists and turns. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and it was hard to put down.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Really enjoyed this book. Great characters, very well written and it was fascinating and informative with the Resistance theme. Highly recommend!’ Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars What readers are saying about Sharon Maas: ‘Wow! … Such a powerful story, so brilliantly narrated, in such a way that you feel part of it all and are left bereft when it is finished … I LOVED this story so much. So poignant and touching and heartbreaking … All the descriptions are so visceral and beautiful. I loved this book. I lived it.’ 5 stars – Renita D’Silva ‘A powerful and emotional story … truly heartbreaking. The writing was so beautifully descriptive and at times I felt as though I was right there in India. Wonderful … truly stunning … I can highly recommend this book.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘This has everything … great characters … strong settings … serious issues. Put all these together with a fantastic writing style and this easily makes my top 10 books of 2016 list.’ 5 stars – Lexi Reads ‘Simply perfect! … from the first few pages I was drawn in and hooked! … I was blown away by how much I was affected by the story … a fantastic, emotional, evocative read … I urge you to pick up this book, you won't be disappointed!!!’ Dash Fan Book Reviews, 5 stars ‘I absolutely loved everything about this book … beautifully and evocatively written ... , this is a definite 'can't put it down' read.' 5 stars – Goodreads Review ‘A beautiful, mesmerising work of fiction ... I was completely transported.' Krafti Reader ‘A powerful story with so much depth your ears might pop, I absolutely loved this book. I was completely absorbed by this stunning story, I was there in India, living everything ... Another exceptional read from Sharon Maas, 5*.’ Purple Book Stand ‘WOW I think Winnie is the biggest hero ever ... This truly was a masterpiece.' Reading Renee ‘I loved, loved, loved this. An easy 5 stars. One of my top reads of this year … wonderful’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
So much to read, so little time? This brief overview of The Things They Carried tells you what you need to know—before or after you read Tim O’Brien’s book. Crafted and edited with care, Worth Books set the standard for quality and give you the tools you need to be a well-informed reader. This Summary of The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien includes: Historical context Story-by-story summaries Character analysis Themes and symbols Important quotes Supporting material to enhance your understanding of the source work About The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien: A New York Times Book of the Century and Pulitzer Prize finalist, The Things They Carried is a modern classic and an essential work of literature about the Vietnam War. Brilliantly blending fact and fiction, autobiography and imagination, Tim O’Brien draws on personal experience to tell the stories of a platoon of American soldiers sent to fight Vietnam. As they trek through jungles and across mountains, the young men of Alpha Company carry radios, assault rifles, C-rations, and good luck charms—as well as grief, love, terror, and the shame of cowardice. Most of all, they carry the dream of escape, not yet knowing that the burden of memory will haunt them long after the war is over. Taught in classrooms all over the world, The Things They Carried is a groundbreaking work of art that reveals the true nature of war and celebrates the healing power of storytelling. The summary and analysis in this ebook are intended to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of fiction.
"I left home for the United States in the summer of 1845, for the same reason that yearly sends so many thousands there, want of employment. I had both read and heard a good deal about America, and knew that money could not be picked up in the streets there, any more than at home; but I was scarcely prepared to find the scramble for the means of living so fierce and incessant, as I found it in New York." So for want of employment, 28 year old George Ballentine found himself in an army recruiting office and soon on his way to fight for the United States in Mexico. With humor and keen observation, Ballentine penned one of the few books about the forgotten Mexican-American War from the ranks. As an immigrant, he had many humorous and pithy observations of his adopted countrymen-in-arms, and he provides a fascinating look at the sweep of this brief conflict with our southern neighbor. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers, tablets, and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
In Ambrose Fulton’s ninety-two years, seventy of which he chronicled here, he lived enough for any ten men. A sailor, miller, real estate man, and Iowa pioneer, it seems the role he enjoyed the most was social commentator and historian. In that role he provides us with not only a look at pioneer Iowa but at the tumultuous years through which he lived, including the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. He was well-read and well-traveled and he entertains as he takes you on his life's voyage. Every memoir of the American West provides us with another view of the movement that changed the country forever. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
Unlock the more straightforward side of The Girl Who Played Go with this concise and insightful summary and analysis! This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Girl Who Played Go by Shan Sa, which tells the story of a spirited young Chinese girl and the Japanese soldier she meets over a game of go. With the bloody Second Sino-Japanese War raging around them, the young lovers soon realise that their relationship has no future, with devastating consequences. The Girl Who Played Go was an immediate commercial and critical success, winning France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt des Lycéens the year of its release. Its author, Shan Sa, was born in China, where she won the national children’s poetry contest at the age of 12, before moving to Paris at the age of 18. Find out everything you need to know about The Girl Who Played Go in a fraction of the time! This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you: • A complete plot summary • Character studies • Key themes and symbols • Questions for further reflection Why choose BrightSummaries.com? Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time. See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
